[con.nois.seur] n [obs. F (now connaisseur), fr. OF connoisseor, fr. connoistre to know, fr. L cognoscere--more at cognition] (1714) 1: expert; esp: one who understands the details, technique, or principles of an art and is competent to act as a critical judge
2: one who enjoys with discrimination and appreciation of subtleties "a ~ of fine wines" -- con.nois.seur.ship n